Tuesday, 15 October 2013

Ethiopian Fans Stone Eagles, Igiebor Injured

Ethiopian Fans Stone Eagles, Igiebor Injured
The Super Eagles and the Nigerian delegation led by NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari returned to the country early Monday morning at about 4:30am with tales of ill-treatment from Ethiopian fans in the 2-1 win over the Walyan Antelopes on Sunday.
It would be recalled that on arrival, the Eagles were given a bus infested with insects but the team remained calm. When it was time for training, the police team attached to the team deliberately took routes that were jammed up by traffic.

Matters came to a head on match day, when all manner of soft drink bottles were hauled at Nigerian players and supporters, when the Ethiopians thought that they had scored an opener in the first half. Television replays later showed that Godfrey Oboabona cleared the ball off the line.

It did not end there. When the Nigerian team was returning to its Saro Maria hotel abode after the game, some fans ambushed them and started hauling stones at the team's bus. One of the heavy stones shattered the rear windscreen of the bus, sending all inside the bus scampering for safety.

With all taking cover. Real Betis star, Nosa Igiebor was the unlucky one as the stone slashed his right palm and he bled profusely before team doctor, Ibrahim Gyaran attended to him.

NFF Vice President, Chief Mike Umeh, said the matter has been reported to the FIFA Security team at the match venue and he hopes action will be taken.

The Ethiopian Police were also intimated with the ordeal of the Nigerian delegation by Eagles CSO, ACP Baba Abubakar, even as the NFF has promised that it will give the Ethiopians the best of hospitality when they come to Nigeria in November for the return leg.